What year did Ford start using electric power steering?
Ford began using electric power steering (EPS) in production vehicles in the mid-2000s, with early adoption in select models and markets. By the early 2010s, EPS had become common across most Ford passenger cars and light trucks.
Electric power steering replaced the traditional hydraulic pump-driven system to reduce parasitic engine load, improve efficiency, and enable tighter integration with modern vehicle electronics. Ford’s shift mirrored a broader industry move toward lighter, more efficient steering systems that could support advanced driver-assistance features and flexible drive modes.
Timeline of Ford's EPS rollout
The following overview tracks how Ford gradually introduced EPS across its lineup and regions.
- Mid-2000s: Early pilot installations of EPS in select Ford models and regional markets to evaluate efficiency gains and steering feel.
- Late 2000s: Wider adoption across mainstream Ford models as manufacturers migrated away from hydraulic power steering in more platforms.
- Early 2010s: EPS becomes standard on a large majority of Ford’s passenger cars and light trucks in major markets, with ongoing refinements for steering feel and integration with safety systems.
The rollout varied by model, region, and regulatory environment, but the overall trajectory pointed from selective use in the mid-2000s to broad-based adoption by the early 2010s.
What EPS does and why Ford switched
Electric power steering uses an electric motor to provide steering assist rather than a hydraulic pump driven by the engine. This design reduces mechanical load on the engine, improving fuel efficiency and allowing more flexible integration with electronic stability programs, adaptive steering, and other driver-assistance features. For Ford, EPS also offered packaging benefits and the ability to tune steering assist for different driving modes and conditions.
Benefits and features of EPS
Below is a concise look at the practical advantages Ford sought with EPS, along with how it has influenced vehicle design and safety.
- Improved fuel efficiency and reduced parasitic loss from the engine, contributing to better overall mileage.
- Variable steering assist that can change with speed, improving feel at low speeds and stability at highway speeds.
- Weight and packaging advantages, enabling more compact steering columns and better cabin space.
- Enhanced compatibility with driver-assistance systems such as lane-keeping, parking assist, and emergency steering features.
As Ford updated its lineup, EPS became a foundational technology that underpins modern steering feel, efficiency, and safety across most models.
Global rollout and notable models
Across North America, Europe, and other regions, Ford’s EPS deployment followed a platform-driven path rather than a single model-by-model approach. By the 2010s, many Ford vehicles—ranging from compact cars to SUVs and light trucks—utilized EPS as standard equipment, with some markets continuing to transition as new platforms were introduced. The shift aligned with industry trends toward lighter systems, better fuel economy, and deeper integration with electronic safety features.
Summary
Ford’s use of electric power steering began in the mid-2000s, expanding from select pilot models to a broad standard across the lineup by the early 2010s. The move was driven by efficiency gains, improved steering adaptability, and better integration with advanced safety systems. Today, EPS remains a core component of Ford’s steering architecture, supporting a range of driving modes and driver-assistance technologies while contributing to overall vehicle efficiency.
Does Ford have electric power steering?
Experience the Benefits of Electric Power-Assisted Steering at Willowbrook Ford. Ready to experience the smooth, responsive steering and advanced features of an EPAS-equipped vehicle?
What is the disadvantage of electric power steering?
Disadvantages of electric power steering include a lack of road feedback, which can feel less engaging for some drivers, and higher repair costs due to the complex electronic components like sensors and control modules. Other drawbacks include potential for system malfunctions, reduced steering feel due to electronic calibration, and a potential drain on the electrical system.
Performance and driving experience
- Less road feedback: The electronic system can mute the direct connection and feel from the road that traditional hydraulic systems provide, leading to a less engaging driving experience for some.
- Artificial or poor feel: Some systems can feel artificial, and poor factory calibration can result in an inconsistent or unpredictable steering feel.
- Potential for malfunctions: Reliance on sensors and electronic control units (ECUs) means there is a risk of sensor failures or ECU issues, which can impact performance and safety.
Repair and maintenance
- Higher repair costs: The complexity of electric components means that repairs are often more expensive than for simpler hydraulic systems.
- Expensive components: A failure in the electronic rack, motor, or control module often requires replacing the entire system, which can be very costly.
Electrical and other issues
- Power consumption: The system draws power from the vehicle's electrical system, which can drain the battery if there are issues with the alternator or the battery itself.
- System failure: In the event of a complete system failure, especially a failure of the steering rack, power assistance is lost, making the steering extremely heavy and difficult, particularly at low speeds.
- Integration with other systems: While it enables features like autonomous driving, the system's complexity can also be a disadvantage when it fails.
Does the Ford F-150 have electric power steering?
Evolution of F-150 Steering Systems:
Early F-150 models used traditional hydraulic power systems. However, in recent years, Ford has transitioned to electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) in many F-150 models.
When did electric power steering become standard?
Electric power steering (EPS) became the standard in most new cars during the 2010s, replacing hydraulic systems due to demands for better fuel efficiency and the integration of advanced driver-assistance features. While its use began gradually in the early 2000s, by the 2010s, it had become a near-universal feature across nearly all types of vehicles, from compact cars to electric and hybrid models.
- Early adoption: The early 2000s saw automakers like Honda begin introducing EPS in some models to improve fuel efficiency by reducing the engine load compared to hydraulic systems.
- Increased efficiency: The transition accelerated in the late 2000s and into the next decade as stricter environmental regulations and fuel economy standards took hold.
- Technological advantage: EPS offers greater flexibility and allows for more precise control by adjusting steering assist based on vehicle speed and other driving conditions, a key benefit for modern vehicle features.
- Integration: By the 2010s, EPS was standard on most new vehicles, including luxury, mid-range, and family cars, and is essential for electric and hybrid vehicles that don't have a traditional engine to power a hydraulic pump.
